Long Meadow Ranch Winery & Farmstead
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One of the greatest things about eating in the wine country is the organic, sustainable, farm-to-market principle that has swept the area, and Farmstead is certainly a major contender in this field. Owned and operated by its parent farm, Long Meadow Ranch, every dish we tried with vegetables, cheese, or olive oil shined in it's simple, unadorned glory, tasting as if it had just been made, harvested, or grown that very second before serving. Unfortunately, the meat dishes were not as successful as the vegetables, but the roasted beet salad with goat cheese, and sautéed zucchini with fresh ricotta was enough to make this a very memorable meal indeed.
Atmosphere
Housed in a former nursery barn, Farmstead boasts a huge, wide open space with impossibly high ceilings, exposed rafters, and a welcoming open kitchen. Inside, the colors are warm earth tones, with rich wood tables and tobacco-colored leather booths, all sitting on rustic, cool cement floors. Outside, as you walk in, comfortable seating centers around an outdoor fireplace and bar and, on the back patio, tables sit on a rustic dirt floor, and are shaded by large fabric sails. Throughout, vintage farm equipment serves as decoration, like chandeliers made from hay hooks. And, on the tables, simple wildflowers are placed in milk bottle vases and candles sit in mason jars.
Service
Service at Farmstead is casual, yet professional. Our server was well-informed and friendly, though a little distracted and unavailable towards the end of our meal. At the front desk, a young hostess was happy to talk to us, and on the floor, the executive chef and the General Manager were bringing food to the tables and pleasantly chatting with guests. In their off time, servers were shelling peas.
Food
Based on a true farm-to-table principal, the menu at Farmstead focuses on local and sustainable ingredients in their height of freshness, most of them provided by its parent farm, Long Meadow Ranch.
To begin, a hot skillet of warm cheddar biscuits and soft potato rolls was brought on the house, served with exquisite fresh butter. For a first course, a salad of just-roasted beets, rich goat cheese crème, and local olive oil ($12) was one of the best I'd ever eaten. Similarly, fresh sautéed zucchini ($12) with soft ricotta, mint, and a dash of chili was out of this world.
For entrees, the Brick Chicken with lima beans and green garlic ($23) was tender and moist, though I would have preferred a crispier skin. And the Grass-fed Beef Chili ($9) had the sharp flavor of fresh chili powder and excellent grated cheddar, but was little else than minced beef. Crispy skillet potatoes with crispy sage ($5) were nice. We were too full to even think about dessert, but a nearby chocolate cream pie looked amazing.
Farmstead also has a very reasonably-priced wine list, including a large selection from Long Meadow Ranch, and a $2 corkage fee that goes to charity.
To begin, a hot skillet of warm cheddar biscuits and soft potato rolls was brought on the house, served with exquisite fresh butter. For a first course, a salad of just-roasted beets, rich goat cheese crème, and local olive oil ($12) was one of the best I'd ever eaten. Similarly, fresh sautéed zucchini ($12) with soft ricotta, mint, and a dash of chili was out of this world.
For entrees, the Brick Chicken with lima beans and green garlic ($23) was tender and moist, though I would have preferred a crispier skin. And the Grass-fed Beef Chili ($9) had the sharp flavor of fresh chili powder and excellent grated cheddar, but was little else than minced beef. Crispy skillet potatoes with crispy sage ($5) were nice. We were too full to even think about dessert, but a nearby chocolate cream pie looked amazing.
Farmstead also has a very reasonably-priced wine list, including a large selection from Long Meadow Ranch, and a $2 corkage fee that goes to charity.
Cleanliness
Immaculate, including very cool bathrooms.
Pros
Beautiful restaurant, Excellent service, Fantastic vegetables, cheese, and olive oil.
Cons
Meat dishes were good, but not as good as the vegetables
